How far is Elbow Lake, MN from Saint Paul, MN?
The driving distance from Elbow Lake, MN to Saint Paul, MN is about 173.1 miles (278.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 157.4 miles (253.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 24m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 42m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Urban township in Stearns County, Minnesota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elbow Lake and Saint Paul.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elbow Lake and Saint Paul.
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1
Start on Central Avenue
10 m · 3 sec · Central Avenue
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2
Turn right onto State Highway 79
1327 ft · 27 sec · State Highway 79
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3
Continue on 2nd Street Northeast
1055 ft · 21 sec · 2nd Street Northeast
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4
Continue on Viking Trail
3.1 mi · 5 min · Viking Trail
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5
Turn straight onto State Highway 79
8.5 mi · 12 min · State Highway 79
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6
Take the ramp right
1245 ft · 30 sec
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7
Merge slight left
141 mi · 2 hr 32 min
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8
Keep slight left
11.7 mi · 13 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Voyageur Highway
5.5 mi · 7 min · Voyageur Highway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th Street, Wacouta Street
602 ft · 7 sec
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11
Take the exit slight right toward 10th Street, Wacouta Street
1132 ft · 27 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on 10th Street
125 m · 10 sec
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13
Continue on 10th Street East
951 ft · 44 sec · 10th Street East
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14
Turn left onto Robert Street North
2471 ft · 1 min · Robert Street North
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15
Turn right onto Kellogg Boulevard East
1134 ft · 45 sec · Kellogg Boulevard East
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16
Turn right onto Wabasha Street North
50 m · 6 sec · Wabasha Street North
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Wabasha Street North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elbow Lake and Saint Paul.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
State Highway 79
Merge slight left
141 mi · 02h 32m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Elbow Lake and Sunny near Saint Paul.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elbow Lake to Saint Paul?
The road trip is about 173.1 miles (278.5 km) and usually takes 02h 42m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Collegeville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.7 miles from Elbow Lake and 87.4 miles from Saint Paul.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 157.4 miles (253.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.7 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:06 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.81 one way or $43.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Elbow Lake and Sunny near Saint Paul.
Stop Ideas Near Collegeville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Collegeville.
St. Cloud
Staples
Saint Paul Union Depot
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elbow Lake and Saint Paul. Straight-line distance: 157.41 mi (253.32 km).
#1 Elbow Lake
City in and county seat of Grant County, Minnesota, United Statesn
| Population | 1,144 |
| Coordinates | 45.9941300, -95.9767200 |
| Altitude | 372 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Saint Paul
The second most populous city in Minnesota and the center of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area.
| Population | 306,717 |
| Coordinates | 44.9444100, -93.0932700 |
| Altitude | 242 |
| Country | United States |
End: Wabasha Street North (-93.093258, 44.944416)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 278 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $21.81 | $43.61 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $23.96 | $47.91 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $26.84 | $53.67 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $29.72 | $59.44 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Minnesota · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.